Зов предков
For the Love of a Man
HesatbyJohnThornton’sfire,abroad-breasteddog,white-fangedandlong-furred; butbehindhimweretheshadesofallmannerofdogs,half-wolvesandwildwolves,urgentandprompting,tastingthesavorofthemeatheate,thirstingforthewaterhedrank,scentingthewindwithhim,listeningwithhimandtellinghimthesoundsmadebythewildlifeintheforest, dictatinghismoods,directinghisactions,lyingdowntosleepwithhimwhenhelaydown,anddreamingwithhimandbeyondhimandbecomingthemselvesthestuffofhisdreams.
Soperemptorilydidtheseshadesbeckonhim,thateachdaymankindandtheclaimsofmankindslippedfartherfromhim. Deepintheforestacallwassounding,andasoftenasheheardthiscall,mysteriouslythrillingandluring,hefeltcompelledtoturnhisbackuponthefireandthebeateneartharoundit,andtoplungeintotheforest,andonandon,heknewnotwhereorwhy; nordidhewonderwhereorwhy,thecallsoundingimperiously,deepintheforest. Butasoftenashegainedthesoftunbrokenearthandthegreenshade,theloveforJohnThorntondrewhimbacktothefireagain.
Thorntonaloneheldhim. Therestofmankindwasasnothing. Chancetravellersmightpraiseorpethim;buthewascoldunderitall,andfromatoodemonstrativemanhewouldgetupandwalkaway.
